To His Coy Mistress

Answer 1

Impression lies in DICTION coy – she is putting on a front of virtue/ modesty; use of mistress is a bit ambiguous – could be a term of respect, but his rather negates that; his is possessive so seems to indicate his certainty of achieving his goal.

Answer 2

We can infer that courtship seemed a
- little long-winded – a man is expected to give up a suitable amount of time to it
- man needs to offer compliments (flattery) and gifts – she’s looking for rubies suggests this
- to consist of innocent activities such as sitting and strolling in the outdoors (public spaces)

Answer 2

We can infer that courtship seemed a
- little long-winded – a man is expected to give up a suitable amount of time to it
- man needs to offer compliments (flattery) and gifts – she’s looking for rubies suggests this
- to consist of innocent activities such as sitting and strolling in the outdoors (public spaces)

Answer 3

Criticisms:

• Coyness – insincere/ false modesty
• Crime – her actions are wrongful
• Ganges and rubies – she wants too much/ rates herself too highly (Biblical worth of the perfect wife)
• Poor judgement when it comes too love – she wants lowest form (vegetable love)

Answer 4

Criticisms:

• Coyness – insincere/ false modesty
• Crime – her actions are wrongful
• Ganges and rubies – she wants too much/ rates herself too highly (Biblical worth of the perfect wife)
• Poor judgement when it comes too love – she wants lowest form (vegetable love)

Answer 5

Carpe diem is about living in the moment and appreciating what you have in the present rather than longing for something in the future or past – therefore time and space are the all important conditions.

Answer 6

• He is clearly more interested n the physical aspects. Possibly mocking her too.
• He would spend relatively little time on the seat of her intellect and soul (forehead and eyes) and the seat of her emotions, her heart, seems to be an afterthought. He appears to be making his intentions quite clear.

Answer 7

• The speaker intends her to be shocked (I think) at both the horror of death and images of barrenness and cold loneliness.
• His tone is also quite callous.
• Death is inevitable and all beauty is transient so he wants her to realise that all good things come to an end: her beauty and youth will not last and she needs to make the most of them while she has them.

Answer 8

• Time is personified as jaws which slowly grind down all that is strong and beautiful.(Contrast their helplessness in the face of this)the sun which represents time is personified as a charioteer, capable of outrunning them and mercilessly crushing them under his wheels.
• Also sun image recalls Apollo lending it supernatural power one they cannot overcome.
• Honesty issue is debatable both ways – enjoy the arguments.

Answer 9

Part 1 mood:
- impatient ; tone ranges through accusatory, slightly mocking, (self-deprecatory
- Humber is a boring at home place); somewhat insincere (flattery)

PART 2 Mood :
- more excited? fearful? urgency (can this be a mood)
- tone: urgent, threatening, callous.

PART 3 mood:
- more upbeat and assured. Tone: more even, confident encouraging, excited.
- Probably not – it is witty; there a great deal of word play and the exaggeration throughout suggests a more entertaining intention.

Answer 10

Indents and cue words:
But; Now therefore. I had: The Ideal; The Problem; The Solution

• Part 1 has long vowel sounds and longish clauses to slow everywthing down – emphasising the lack of action and enjoyment
• Part 2 uses many monosyllabic words and hard heavy consonants to create a powerful, driving pace that suggests the speed at which time hurries near and the enjambment here creates a breathlessness too; while Part three setttles into an energetic but more orderly rhythm thanks to the repeated emphatic “Now”.

Answer 11

Contrasts:

• He is realistic and reasonable – she is criminal; her interest in the Ganges suggests hankering after the unattainable exotic and the rubies that she is possibly materialistic or a little egotistical overrating her charms, while associating himself with the Humber implies he is a realist who accepts what is available to him (possibly reflects his humility)
  Carpe diem images:
• Any death and time images – all things come to an end
• Youthful hue/ dew beauty is transient
• Instant fires – vigour of youthful passion will not last
• Amorous birds of prey /sport/ devour/tear our pleasures – associated with the strength that comes from enjoying every moment
• Sun – aging is inevitable, so human power lies in making the most of the time you have.